October 3, 2024

Women’s Council takes back the night with silent march

The University of Tennessee Women’s Coordinating Council hosted the “Take Back the Night” resource fair and silent march for domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.

 

Actions speak louder than words.

The University of Tennessee Women’s Coordinating Council hosted a silent march titled “Take Back the Night” in the Humanities and Social Sciences Amphitheater on Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. The council created this event to raise awareness and provide resources for those who have suffered from sexual assault and domestic violence.

“A lot of messages can get lost during marches where people are yelling,” council member Zoie Mull said. “We want to use the silence to break the silence.”

The council’s core values focus on gender equity, anti-racism, reproductive freedom and LGBTQ inclusivity.

“We’re very unapologetic about what we believe in and what we stand for,” co-coordinator Mallika Vohra said. “We want to be able to provide through our events a safe space and a welcoming space.”

Multiple businesses set up resource booths to provide information about sexual assault, domestic violence, safe sex and unplanned pregnancy. These local businesses prepared pamphlets that listed their services as well as help hotlines. The University of Tennessee also set up a booth for on-campus resources through the Title IX Commitment.

The council set up activity stations where participants could create posters and paint encouraging words onto t-shirts. The shirts are kept and displayed at the Women’s Coordinating Council events. Participants could also paint their hand prints on the banner used in the silent march.

More information about the Women’s Coordinating Council can be found on VOLink.

Featured Photo by Ciera Noe

Edited by Ainsley Kelso